Diagnostic device, diagnostic system, diagnostic method, program and storage medium

ABSTRACT

A diagnostic system that effectively presents optimum products to the users by effectively using information about the use history of an image forming apparatus used by the users and other information specific to the image forming apparatus that may be stored in advance. The diagnostic system includes a management device that receives and manages management information including at least information of print volume of an image forming apparatus for a predetermined period, a determination device that determines an optimum image forming apparatus based on the information of print volume in the predetermined period managed by the management device, and a notification device that notifies information indicative of the optimum image forming apparatus determined by the determination device to an information processing apparatus that is capable of communication via a communication line.

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a diagnostic device, a diagnosticsystem, a diagnostic method, a program and a medium that, depending onthe usage history of an image forming apparatus that a user uses, candiagnose the optimum image forming apparatus and/or optional devices andprovide the diagnostic results to the user.

2. DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

There are systems that can detect the degree of consumption of tonerwithin a toner cartridge used in an image forming apparatus and displayon a display section provided on the main body of the image formingapparatus an instruction to replace the toner cartridge when the amountof the toner left falls below a predetermined value.

There are also systems proposed in which a signal instructing a purchaseorder for a new toner cartridge is send via telephone lines when thetoner runs low, thereby requesting a purchase to an informationprocessing apparatus installed at the dealer.

Furthermore, there are systems proposed in which a device such as acounter is installed on a toner cartridge or the main body of the imageforming apparatus, and for example, the number of pages printed iscounted by the counter, and a determination is made when the count valuereaches a certain value that the toner cartridge or the image formingapparatus has reached the end of its life, and a warning is provided.

However, there has not been any systems among prior art that makes aneffective use of operational history information, such as cumulativeprint volume of image forming apparatuses, in spite of the fact thatthere have been prior art that, for example, automatically place anorder for a new toner when the toner runs low, or that notify the userof the image forming apparatus' or any part of the image formingapparatus' reaching the end of its life.

In the meantime, when the printer main body itself reaches the end ofits life or becomes obsolete and the user is ready to replace it with anew model, the user must access web sites operated by dealers or sendfor a catalog from dealers and select by himself or herself the productthat appears to be most suitable based on the past usage as he or shecompares various product specifications, which is a very time-consumingand onerous process. In addition, this process still entails thepossibility that the user would select a product that is not suitablefor the user's usage frequency.

Furthermore, even when a serviceperson is called to consult about thepurchase of a new image forming apparatus, since the serviceperson infact is in the habit of suggesting an image forming apparatus thatappears to fit the customer's wishes based on the serviceperson's ownexperience, this process is equally onerous as the process in which thecustomer researches by himself or herself, and still there is noguarantee that the serviceperson would be able to recommend anappropriate product.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system that effectively presentsoptimum products to the user by effectively using information about theuse history of an image forming apparatus used by the users and otherinformation specific to the image forming apparatus that may be storedin advance.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a diagnosticapparatus includes: a management device that receives and managesmanagement information including at least information of print volume ofan image forming apparatus for a predetermined period; a determinationdevice that determines an optimum image forming apparatus based on theinformation of print volume in the predetermined period managed by themanagement device; and a notification device that notifies informationfor display indicative of the optimum image forming apparatus determinedby the determination device to an information processing apparatus thatis capable of communication via a communication line.

Preferably, the determination device may determine the optimum imageforming apparatus based on a search table that correlates theinformation of print volume for the predetermined period topredetermined types of image forming apparatuses.

Preferably, the management information may include type information of atype of the image forming apparatus, the determination device maydetermine an optimum option for the image forming apparatus based on thetype information and the information of print volume for thepredetermined period, and the notification device may notify the optimumoption to the information processing apparatus.

The option described above may be a paper feed option or a paperdelivery option.

The determination device may preferably determine the optimum paper feedoption such that the number of paper to be fed in a predetermined periodis a specified number with respect to the information of print volumefor the predetermined period.

The predetermined number may preferably be set according to informationindicative of a number that is input in accordance with a direction bythe user, and may be notified to the information processing apparatus.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, thediagnostic apparatus may further includes an extraction device thatextracts an optimum option from among at least one of a plurality ofkinds of options and a plurality of combinations of options, and thenotification device may notify the optimum option extracted by theextraction device to the information processing apparatus.

Preferably, the aforementioned information processing apparatus may bethe image forming apparatus.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, adiagnostic apparatus comprises: a management device that receives andmanages management information including at least information of printvolume of an image forming apparatus for a predetermined period; adetermination device that determines an optimum paper feed option forthe image forming apparatus based on the information of print volume inthe predetermined period managed by the management device; and anotification device that notifies information for display indicative ofthe optimum paper feed option determined by the determination device tothe image forming apparatus or a information processing apparatus thatis communicatively connected to the diagnostic apparatus.

Preferably, the management information may include identificationinformation that identifies the type of the image forming apparatus, andthe determination device may specify a paper feed option according tothe identification information.

Furthermore, the determination device may preferably determine theoptimum paper feed option such that the number of paper to be fed in apredetermined period is a specified number with respect to theinformation of print volume for the predetermined period.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, adiagnostic system includes: a notification device that notifiesmanagement information including at least information indicative ofprint volume for a predetermined period of an image forming apparatus toa diagnostic server that is capable of communication via a communicationline; a management device that receives and manages the managementinformation including at least the information indicative of printvolume of the image forming apparatus for the predetermined periodnotified by the notification device; a determination device thatdetermines an optimum image forming apparatus based on the informationof print volume in the predetermined period managed by the managementdevice; and a device that notifies information for display indicative ofthe optimum image forming apparatus determined by the determinationdevice to an information processing apparatus that is capable ofcommunication via a communication line.

More over, in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention, a diagnostic system includes: a notification device thatnotifies management information including at least informationindicative of print volume for a predetermined period of an imageforming apparatus to a diagnostic server that is capable ofcommunication via a communication line; a determination device thatdetermines an optimum paper feed option for the image forming apparatusbased on the information of print volume in the predetermined periodnotified by the notification device; and a device that notifiesinformation for display indicative of the optimum paper feed optiondetermined by the determination device to the image forming apparatus oran information processing apparatus via a communication line.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing detailed description, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings that illustrate, by way of example, variousfeatures of embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 schematically shows an overall structure of a system inaccordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of representative functions of aninformation processing apparatus.

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of representative functions of an imageforming apparatus.

FIG. 4 shows a system module configuration in accordance with the firstembodiment.

FIG. 5 shows a flowchart indicating one example of diagnostic processingby a diagnostic server in accordance with the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 shows a table indicating one example of information sent by theuser's equipment or of management information managed by the diagnosticserver.

FIG. 7 shows one example of a search table to specify image formingapparatus based on the management information sent from the user.

FIG. 8 shows one example of a search table to specify optional productsthat match image forming apparatuses.

FIG. 9 shows one example of diagnostic result provided by the diagnosticserver to the user.

FIG. 10 shows a flowchart indicating one example of diagnosticprocessing by a user's device in accordance with a second embodiment.

FIG. 11 shows one example of a user interface to instruct a diagnosisfor product recommendations.

FIG. 12 shows one example of a user interface to instruct a diagnosisfor product recommendations.

FIG. 13 shows a flowchart indicating one example of diagnosticprocessing by a diagnostic server according to the second embodiment.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION First Embodiment

A printer recommending system in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention will be described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings.

FIG. 1 schematically shows an overall structure of a printerrecommending system in accordance with a first embodiment of the presentinvention. Reference numerals 101 and 103 denote personal computers,which are information processing apparatuses that users use. Each of thepersonal computers may be equipped with a function to send via acommunication line 108 print data to MFP printers (multifunctionalperipheral printers) 104 and 105, which are image forming apparatuses,and to have the MFP printers 104 and 105 print, as well as a function tohave, via the communication line 108, the MFP printers 104 and 105execute processing based on various application programs. Thecommunication line 108 can be a LAN (local area network), in which datacommunication is built according to the Ethernet communication method ona coaxial cable.

Reference numeral 102 denotes an information processing apparatus suchas a server that communicates data with external servers such as anexternal server 107 through a communication line 106. The communicationline 106 that connects the server 102 with external servers can be atelephone line or an optical fiber communication line. Image formingapparatuses are not limited to laser beam printers, and inkjet printersoperating under the inkjet method or thermal printers operating underthe thermal transfer method can also be applied to the presentinvention. Additionally, in a mode in which a telephone line is used asthe communication line 106, the external server 107 may be equipped witha modem with modulation and demodulation functions.

FIG. 2 is a typical block diagram of an information processing apparatusand shows a configuration (functionality) of a personal computer or aninformation processing apparatus used by the user.

The information processing apparatus comprises a CPU (central processingunit) 201, an input device 202, a primary storage 203, an output device204, a secondary storage 205, a clock device 206, and a communicationdevice 209.

The CPU 201 is a device also known as a processor, and it comprises acontrol device 207 that sends commands to various devices within thesystem and controls their operations, and an operation device 208 thatis a central part of the server and that performs operation processingof digital data.

The CPU 201 works with programs stored in the primary storage 203 or thesecondary storage 205 and thereby functions as various means that arecomponents of the present invention. Consumable goods according to thepresent embodiment include, for example, toners for copiers,photoconductor drums, ink for inkjet printers, other consumable parts ofthe main body, paper and overhead projection sheets, in addition totoner cartridges.

Furthermore, the CPU 201 functions as a store management device thatmanages storing information in the primary storage 203 and the secondarystorage 205, as well as an updating device to update information storedin the storages.

Functions of the various devices described above may be realized by theCPU 201's working with programs that are stored in the primary storage203 or the output device 204.

The control device 207 reads, in accordance with clock timing generatedby the clock device 206, onto the primary storage 203 data that areinput from the input device 202 or procedures provided in advance (e.g.,programs or software), and commands the operation device 208 to performoperation processing based on the content read. The result of suchoperation processing is sent to internal equipment, such as the primarystorage 203, the output device 204, and the secondary storage 205,and/or external equipment, based on the control by the control device207.

The input device 202 is a device for inputting various data, and it maybe, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a pointing device, a touch panel,a mouse pad, a CCD camera, a card reader, a paper tape reader, or amagnetic tape device.

The primary storage 203 is a device also known as a memory, and it is amember that represents all of the addressable storage space used toexecute commands in a processor or internal storage. The primary storage203 mainly comprises semiconductor memory elements, and it stores andretains programs and data that were input, as well as reads according toinstructions from the control device 207 to a register, for example,data that are stored and retained.

The semiconductor memory elements that comprise the primary storage 203are RAM (random access memory) and/or ROM (read-only memory).

The output device 204 is a member that outputs the result of operationsby the operation device 208, and it can be a CRT, a plasma displaypanel, a liquid crystal display or other display devices, printingdevices such as printers, or speech output devices.

The secondary storage 205 is a member that supplements the storagecapacity of the primary storage 203, and it can be a floppy disk, a harddisk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a CD-RW, or an MO comprising a magnetic disk, anoptical disk, or a semiconductor disk. The secondary storage 205 canalso be a database.

The communication device 209 is a device that communicates with externalnetworks, and it sends or receives data to and from, and performsdigital-analog conversions as necessary for, the network connected.

Each of the devices described above is connected mutually to each otherthrough an address bus or a data bus.

The number of the primary storage 203 and of the secondary storage 205is not limited to one each, and there may be any number of the devices.As the number of the primary storage 203 and/or of the secondary storage205 increases, the fault tolerance of the server increasesproportionately.

Next, we will use a block diagram in FIG. 3 to describe typicalfunctions of the image forming apparatus according to the presentembodiment.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 301 denotes a printer controller. Theprinter controller 301 may be equipped with a communication section 321,which sends and receives various data to and from an external device 314(which is equivalent to the personal computer 101 in FIG. 1), which canbe a host computer; and a video interface 320, which receivescommunication and image data, develops the image data received intoinformation that is printable by a printer, and performs exchange ofsignals and serial communication with a printer engine control sectiondescribed later.

A CPU 315 of an image forming apparatus that consolidates, based on acontrol program stored in a ROM 317 or a storage device such as a harddisk (HD) and/or a floppy disk (FD) 323, the control of access tovarious devices connected to a system bus 322 and that outputs imagesignals as output information to a printer engine connected via thevideo interface 320.

A RAM 316 is a RAM that functions as the primary memory and work areafor the CPU 315.

A memory controller (DKC) 318 controls access to the external memory323, which can be an HD or an FD, that stores a boot program, variousapplications, font data, user files and editing files. The operationsection 324 includes a display panel 325 and a keyboard, and it allowssuch elements to provide information to an operator or accept input ofinstructions from the operator via an input/output interface 319.

Reference numeral 302 denotes an engine control section that controlsvarious units of the printer engine through the exchange of signals andserial communication with the printer controller. Reference numeral 303denotes a paper transport control section that based on instructionsfrom the engine control section 302 transports paper to be printed onfrom paper feed to delivery after printing. A reference numeral 304denotes an optical control section that based on instructions from theengine control section 302 drives a scanner motor and executes on/offcontrol of laser. A reference numeral 305 denotes a consumable material(e.g., toner) residual volume control section that detects the residualvolume of toner in a cartridge and communicates this information to theengine control section 302. A reference numeral 306 denotes a highvoltage control section that based on instructions from the enginecontrol section 302 provides high voltage output required for electronicphotographic processes, such as charging developing and transfer. Areference numeral 307 denotes a fixing temperature control section thatbased on instructions from the engine control section 302 controls thetemperature of a fixer and detects abnormalities in the fixer. Areference numeral 308 denotes a paper sensor input section thatcommunicates to the engine control section 302 information from thepaper sensor in paper feed section and paper transporting route. Areference numeral 309 denotes a jam detecting section that detectstransporting failure while paper is being transported. A referencenumeral 310 denotes a failure detection section that detects failures infunctioning sections of the printer. A reference numeral 311 denotes aprint completion notifying section that detects that the printing wasexecuted normally and notifies of it to the engine control section 302.Based on a print completion notification signal from the printcompletion notifying section 311 and on the paper size recognized by theprinter controller 301 in response to the signal, the image formingapparatus manages the cumulative print volume by paper size as history.Furthermore, by having operational history information of the imageforming apparatus stored as history in a nonvolatile memory provided ina cartridge, which is later described as a preferred embodiment, theusage history of the cartridge can be stored accurately as history andthere will be no need to provide a nonvolatile memory in the main bodyof the image forming apparatus to record history.

A reference numeral 327 denotes a consumable material cartridge that isdetachably mounted on the printer engine and that contains a consumablematerial such as toner. A nonvolatile memory 326 that is a cartridge(CRG) memory is installed in the consumable material cartridge 327. Thenonvolatile memory 326 can exchange data with the engine control section302, which allows data to be read from or written onto the nonvolatilememory 326 by the engine control section 302.

The nonvolatile memory (also called a nonvolatile memory device) 326stores information such as start date for using a developer and residualvolume of the developer; it can be any memory as long as it stores andretains signal information in a rewritable manner, and it can be anelectric storage means such as RAM or rewritable ROM, or a magneticstorage means such as a magnetic recording medium, magnetic bubblememory or optical magnetic memory. In the present embodiment, NV(nonvolatile) RAM is used, due to its ease of use and costconsiderations.

Referring back to FIG. 3, a cartridge (CRG) memory control section 312is inside the engine control section 302 and has a function to read datafrom the nonvolatile memory 326 and to rewrite the contents of thenonvolatile memory 326. Reference numeral 313 denotes a cartridge usagedetection means that is inside the engine control section 302 and thatbased on information from the consumable material residual controldevice 305 discerns the life expectancy of the toner cartridge 327 andcommunicates this information to the memory control section 312.

In addition, although omitted from drawings, there is a memory lockcontrol section in the CRG memory control section 312 that based on thelife expectancy information from the cartridge usage detection means 313writes the life expectancy data onto the nonvolatile memory 326 withinthe cartridge and that executes at a predetermined timing a processingon a lock function section of the nonvolatile memory 326 that prohibitsrewriting of the data.

Furthermore, the CRG memory control section 312 has a function, inresponse to a request via the video interface 320 from the printercontroller 301 to read the CRG memory 326, to read data (address)designated by the printer controller 301 and to send the data read tothe printer controller 301; and a function, in response to a request viathe video interface 320 from the printer controller 301 to write ontothe CRG memory 326, to write data (address) designated by the printercontroller 301 onto the CRG memory 326. Another mode in which theprinter controller 301 itself directly reads from and writes onto theCRG memory 326 can also be applied to the present invention.

FIG. 4 indicates modules of various functions of a diagnostic server 403according to the present embodiment. Functions shown in FIG. 4 may berealized by the various devices shown in FIG. 2 and are based on havingthe CPU 201 read program codes stored in a nonvolatile memory providedin a diagnostic server and execute processing according to the programcodes read.

A data transmission/receiving section 404 has a function to send andreceive various data to and from a printer 401, which is an imageforming apparatus owned by a user, or an information processingapparatus 402, which is a personal computer, via a communication line. Aprint volume counting section 405 periodically counts the print volume(e.g., the number of pages printed) by the printer 401 that the userowns. A life expectancy judging section 406 judges whether the printer401 matches the conditions set in advance. The judging process will bedescribed in detail later in the description of step S503 in FIG. 5.

An optional printer and paper feed/delivery device selection section 407has an average monthly print volume (PV) calculating section 408, anoptimum printer information storage section 409, an optional paperfeed/delivery device information storage section 410 and a specificationtable/quotation preparation section 411. When the result of judgment bythe life expectancy judging section 406 matches the conditions set inadvance, the optional printer and paper feed/delivery device selectionsection 407 finds the average monthly print volume (PV) calculated andsearches for the optimum printers that match the PV value from theoptimum printer information storage section 409. Information managed bythe optimum printer information storage section 409 may be the latestinformation about printers. Naturally, the information managed by theoptimum printer information storage section 409 is not limited to thelatest information about printers, and also includes informationconcerning various image forming apparatuses such as facsimile machines,copiers and digital compositers, as well as information concerning anyimage forming apparatuses that are sold on the market.

When the value found by dividing the value of PV by the paper feedcapacity of the printer selected exceeds a predetermined value, optionalpaper feed/delivery devices that can be mounted on the printer selected(an image forming apparatus) are selected by the optional paperfeed/delivery device information storage section 410.

A specification table/quotation for a printer and/or optional paperfeed/delivery devices selected in this manner is prepared and notifiedto the user. This notification can be done by sending data to the user'sinformation processing apparatus 402 or by directly outputting theinformation to the user's printer 401.

Next, referring to FIG. 5, the processing by the diagnostic server inFIG. 4 is described in greater detail. Processing that takes place ineach of the steps in a flowchart in FIG. 5 is realized by having aprincipal element that performs the processing, whether the imageforming apparatus 401 or a CPU provided in the server, read programcodes stored in a nonvolatile memory device such as ROM or a hard diskand execute processing according to the program codes read.

First, in step S501, whether history information of the image formingapparatus 401 and management information such as model information ofthe image forming apparatus 401 have been received by the diagnosticserver 403 is determined. The information sent to a diagnostic device isdata that is periodically sent by the user via a communication linecomprising the Internet. FIG. 6 shows one example of the structure ofthe data sent.

The information that is sent from the image forming apparatus 401 viathe communication line can be in a mode in which the server 403periodically calls the image forming apparatus 401, or a mode in whichthe image forming apparatus 401 uses a timer function it has toperiodically notify the server 403 as part of a routine.

The data shown in FIG. 6 includes user ID, log recording start date, logrecording end date, print volume for each paper size, configurationinformation of the image forming apparatus, printer model name, lotnumber, manufactured date, and an electronic mail address that indicatesthe sender of data.

The user ID is identification information that is issued when the userregisters for product recommendation services provided according to thepresent invention, and can certainly be omitted.

The configuration information includes optional products that can beinstalled on the image forming apparatus 401. The printer model namerefers to the name of the printer. However, if the information providedfrom the image forming apparatus 401 allows the diagnostic server 403 toidentify the printer model, the printer model name can be replaced withpredetermined identification data such as model ID number. The lotnumber is a number assigned to the product during its manufacture in aplant and the product model can be specified by the lot number as well.

The printer model, the lot number, the manufactured date and theelectronic mail address can be information included in advance inutility software executed on the image forming apparatus 401 or thepersonal computer 402, or they can be information set by the user'sinput.

Information with data structure as shown in FIG. 6 is created based onhistory information that is recorded on the image forming apparatus 401,and the history information can be created by the image formingapparatus 401 or it can be created based on history information andinformation concerning printer model sent from the image formingapparatus 401 and received by a personal computer (informationprocessing apparatus) 402 that is connected communicatively with theimage forming apparatus 401 via the user's LAN.

In step S502, the information that was received in step S501 is storedin the storage section. The accumulation of data in the storage sectionis executed in a manner in which at least the date information andhistory information in FIG. 6 are correlated. In other words, by storingthe history information shown in FIG. 6 so that it has a correlation todate information, it becomes possible to manage the history information(e.g., print volume) in a chronological order.

In step S503, a determination is made as to whether the cumulative printvolume exceeds a predetermined value (α) or whether the number of yearsthe image forming apparatus 401 has been used exceeds a predeterminedvalue (β), based on information stored in the predetermined storagesection in step S501. Specifically, a determination is made as towhether the cumulative print volume exceeds the value α (for example,450,000 pages), which is the print volume over the lifetime of the imageforming apparatus 401 less margin print volume, or whether the number ofyears used exceeds the value β (for example, five years), which is thelife expectancy of the image forming apparatus 401 less margin period.

If it is determined that either the cumulative print volume or thenumber of years used matches the conditions defined in step S503, theprocessing proceeds to step S504. If it is determined that neithermatches the conditions defined in step S503, the processing returns tostep S501.

In step S504, the average monthly print volume (PV) is calculated basedon the log recording start date, the log recording end date and theprint volume that are specified in the history information in FIG. 6.

In step S505, a processing to specify the optimum printer takes placebased on the PV calculated in step S504. Specifically, if PV≦a, printerA is selected as the optimum printer; if a<PV≦b, printer B is selectedas the optimum printer; if b<PV≦c, printer C is selected as the optimumprinter; and if c<PV≦d, printer D is selected as the optimum printer.

The optimum printer information storage section 409 stores informationconcerning optimum printers that match the average monthly print volumePV in the following manner. One example of a diagnostic table stored inthe storage section of the diagnostic server 403 is shown in FIG. 7.Image forming apparatuses with various printing speeds and papercapacities are specified to match various print volumes (average monthlyprint volume) in a predetermined period.

In step S506, a determination is made as to whether the value of theaverage monthly print volume PV (for example, 3,500 pages) divided by apaper capacity m (for example, 500 pages) of the standard cassette ofthe printer selected exceeds a predetermined value n (for example, 4);if it is determined that the division value exceeds n (for example, theaverage monthly print volume PV (3,500)÷paper capacity(500)=7>predetermined value (4)), the processing proceeds to step S507;if it is determined that the division value does not exceed n, theprocessing proceeds to step S508.

The predetermined value n is equivalent to the number of times acassette is replenished per month; in the present embodiment, n is setat 4 based on the assumption that the cassette is replenished at therate of once a week. A preferred embodiment can be one in which the usernotifies the diagnostic server 403 from the user's personal computer 402the maximum number of times the user wishes to replenish cassette permonth to determine the value of n. By doing this, a product that moreclosely matches the user's wish can be recommended.

In step S507, optional paper feed/delivery devices (for example, a 500page paper feeder and a 500 page paper delivery stacker) that can bemounted on the printer selected are selected by the optional printer andpaper feed/delivery device selection section 407.

Information concerning optional paper feed/delivery devices for variousprinter models is stored in the optional printer and paper feed/deliverydevice selection section 407, as shown in FIG. 8.

If there is a plurality of optional paper feed devices selected, all thedevices are listed. However, devices, each of whose value of the averagemonthly print volume PV (for example, 3,500 pages) divided by a totalpaper capacity (for example, 1,000 or 1,500 pages), which is a sum ofthe standard paper capacity m (for example, 500 pages) and an optionalpaper capacity m1 (for example, 500 pages) or m2 (for example, 500pages×2), does not exceed a predetermined value n (for example, 4), arerecommended according to the devices' values, where the closer adevice's value is to the predetermined value (for example, 4), thehigher the priority given to the device. When there are: 1) averagemonthly print volume PV (3,500)÷(standard paper capacity (500)+optionalpaper capacity (500))=3.5<predetermined value n (4); and 2) averagemonthly print volume PV (3,500)÷(standard paper capacity (500)+optionalpaper capacity (1,000))=2.3<predetermined value n (4), 1) with anoptional 500 page feeder is given a higher priority as a recommendeddevice.

The predetermined value n is equivalent to the number of times acassette is replenished per month; and n is set at 4 in this examplebased on the assumption that the cassette is replenished at the rate ofonce a week. If the value of n is determined according to the user'swish, optional paper feed/delivery devices that more closely match theuser's wishes can be recommended. Furthermore, as described above, thevalue of n can be set as the number of times per month the user wishesto replenish the cassette; by doing this, it becomes possible torecommend optional paper feed/delivery devices that match theenvironment in which the user wishes to use his or her image formingapparatus.

The optional paper delivery devices are selected in the same way theoptional paper feed devices are selected, as described above. For theoptional paper delivery devices, mailbox devices with multiple bins maybe available in some cases that allow sorting of printed documents toavoid the documents from becoming mixed when an image forming apparatusis shared by a plurality of users. A mailbox device may be offered inaddition to the optional paper delivery devices selected depending onthe number of users who share the image forming apparatus.

For example, if five users share an image forming apparatus, a messagethat states, “By installing a 5-bin mailbox, printed documents can besorted without becoming mixed,” can be added. In this case, the numberof users who share the image forming apparatus is based on the valuenotified from the user's PC 402 to the diagnostic server 403 upon aninput from the user.

In step S508, a specification table/quotation for the printer and/or theoptional paper feed/delivery devices selected is created by thespecification table/quotation preparation section 411 based on theprocessing that took place in steps S501-S507.

In step S509, the optional printer and paper feed/delivery deviceselection section 407 notifies the user of the specificationtable/quotation that were prepared in step S508.

This notification can be sent as data in a format that can be displayedon the information processing apparatus 402 that the user uses or it canbe directly output to the user's printer 401.

FIG. 9 shows how a specification table/quotation prepared by thespecification table/quotation preparation section 411 and sent to theuser appears when displayed.

In the example in FIG. 9, the monthly PV calculated by the diagnosticserver 403 (in step S504 in FIG. 5) is 5,000, the “printer C” isselected as the optimum printer from the table shown in FIG. 7, and n(the number of times a cassette is replenished per month) is set at “4”;based on FIGS. 7 and 8 and on the processing in step S507, “500 pagefeeder×2 stages” is selected as the optional paper feeder device.

The information displayed in FIG. 9 that is created by the specificationtable/quotation preparation section 411 is sent to the addresseeindicated in the electronic mail address information in FIG. 6.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the optimumimage forming apparatus can be determined from management information,including information concerning the print volume in a predeterminedperiod, and the optimum image forming apparatus can be recommended tothe user efficiently without having to involve another person.

Furthermore, due to the fact that the image forming apparatus that theuser currently uses can be specified based on the model information forthe user's image forming apparatus, that optimum optional modes thatmatch the image forming apparatus model specified can be extracted froma plurality of possible types or a plurality of possible combinations ofoptional modes, and that the optional modes extracted can be notified tothe user, the user can easily find the optimum optional modes withouthaving to do any onerous research. Moreover, since the optional modesextracted are based on the printing environment that the user desires oron the printing environment that appears to be most favorable,information concerning optional modes that closely match the user'swishes can be sent to the user.

In addition, due to the fact that information concerning the optimumoptional paper feed devices that, based on management informationincluding information concerning the print volume in a predeterminedperiod, match the image forming apparatus that the user currently usescan be sent to the user who makes the decision, optional devices thatwould realize a better printing environment can be recommended withoutthe user having to replace the image forming apparatus that he or shecurrently uses.

Due to the fact that the recommendation for the optimum image formingapparatus or optional devices is made when the image forming apparatusthat the user currently uses is approaching the end of its life, therecommendation information can be provided to the user in a timelymanner.

Second Embodiment

The first embodiment was based on a premise that various histories ofthe image forming apparatus are sent to the server unconditionally, butin the second embodiment the user himself or herself can send managementinformation to the server whenever he or she likes in order to have theserver perform a diagnosis.

Referring to the flowchart in FIG. 10, the processing that takes placein a user's device will be described. The user's device may be a printermain body or an information processing apparatus such as a personalcomputer. Processing that takes place in each of the steps in aflowchart in FIG. 10 is realized by having a principal element thatperforms the processing, whether an image forming apparatus or a CPUthat is provided in the server, read program codes stored in anonvolatile storage means such as ROM or hard disks and executeprocessing according to the program codes read.

First, in step S1001, whether an instruction signal that instructs adiagnosis has been sent from the user's equipment is determined. FIG. 11shows a user interface that is used to instruct a diagnosis from theuser's equipment and that is displayed on a display section of aninformation processing apparatus that the user uses. The content of FIG.11 can be a display of a part of a printer driver user interface orinformation that is obtained by a designated URL (uniform resourcelocator) via the Internet.

In the user interface shown in FIG. 11, when a selection signal is inputvia an operation button “Diagnose Recommended Printers” 1101, a signalthat instructs a diagnosis is sent from the information processingapparatus to a diagnostic server via a predetermined communication line.

If it is determined in step S1001 that the answer is Yes, the processingproceeds to step S1002. When the processing proceeds to step S1002, thedisplay in FIG. 11 switches to a display shown in FIG. 12. FIGS. 11 and12 are displays based on information that is sent from the diagnosticserver to the information processing apparatus for the purpose ofdisplaying FIGS. 11 and 12.

In step S1002, a determination is made as to whether to manually inputinformation concerning the image forming apparatus, such as cumulativeprint volume and period used. This determination is made based onwhether an instruction signal that selects step S1202 in FIG. 12 hasbeen sent to the server. Reference numeral 1201 in FIG. 12 denotes abutton that instructs the information processing apparatus toautomatically obtain management information stored and retained in theimage forming apparatus; if the signal indicated by 1201 is sent to thediagnostic server, the determination made in step S1002 is No.

In step S1003, a printer is selected. The printer selection refers tospecifying an image forming apparatus that is the target of diagnosiswhen there is a plurality of image forming apparatuses communicativelyconnected via a local network to the information processing apparatusused by the user.

In step S1004, operational history information and managementinformation, such as printer model name, manufactured date, andelectronic mail address of information sender that are shown in FIG. 6,of the image forming apparatus selected according to the user'sinstruction are collected. More specifically, when the processing instep S1004 is executed, a management information obtaining program forthe image forming apparatus that is installed on the informationprocessing apparatus that the user uses is executed by the informationprocessing apparatus to specify the image forming apparatus according tothe user's instruction, and management information (FIG. 6) is requestedand obtained from the specified image forming apparatus.

In step S1005, a determination is made as to whether an instruction hasbeen given to the diagnostic server (which is the addressee indicated bythe electronic mail address in FIG. 6 or by the address of thediagnostic server obtained by the information processing apparatus viathe Internet) to send information that was read onto the informationprocessing apparatus in step S1004 or in step S1009, which is describedlater.

If it is determined in step S1005 that the instruction to send wasgiven, the information is transmitted in step S1006. Naturally, thetransmission of information that takes place in step S1006 can be to thediagnostic server from the user's information processing apparatusthrough a communication mode that uses the Internet via a plurality ofservers or through a communication line that uses a dedicated line.

In step S1007, a determination is made as to whether a reply from thediagnostic server to the information that was sent in step S1006 hasbeen received; if it is determined that the reply has been received, theinformation received is displayed in step S1008. The information that issent from the diagnostic server to the user's information processingapparatus is based on the mechanism described in FIG. 5 for the firstembodiment, or on the processing result of the flowchart in FIG. 13,which is described later.

In the meantime, if it is determined in step S1002 that a signalinstructing to select the “manual input” button 1202 in FIG. 12 has beensent to the diagnostic server, it is determined in step S1009 whethervarious information indicated in FIG. 6, such as the period used, printvolume (this may be for each paper size), printer model andmanufacturing number, has been input into the user's informationprocessing apparatus; if it is determined that the information has beeninput, the processing proceeds to step S1006. If various data that isrequired for diagnosis is not input and a signal for pressing the sendbutton is input in step S1009, a warning message may be displayed.

Although the processing above has been described as processing performedby the information processing apparatus that is connectedcommunicatively with the image forming apparatus, another mode is alsopossible, in which the image forming apparatus itself and the diagnosticserver send and receive information to and from each other without anyinvolvement by the information processing apparatus, so that it is theimage forming apparatus that performs the processing described in theflowchart in FIG. 10.

In that case, the processing that takes place in step S1001, in which adiagnosis is instructed, is executed through an operation displaysection (equivalent to 324 and 325 in FIG. 3) or an operation button ofthe image forming apparatus' main body; the processing that takes placein steps S1002, S1003, S1009 and S1010 can be omitted; and theprocessing that takes place in step S1004 is replaced by a processing inwhich the image forming apparatus itself reads history information andother information such as the printer model and manufactured date(information such as the information in FIG. 6) that are stored in apredetermined storage section of the image forming apparatus, and theinformation read is sent in step S1006.

Next, referring to FIG. 13, the processing that takes place in thediagnostic server is described according to the flowchart in FIG. 10 inrelation to the processing by the user. Processing that takes place ineach of the steps in a flowchart in FIG. 13 is realized by having aprincipal element that performs the processing, whether an image formingapparatus or a CPU that is provided in the server, read program codesstored in a nonvolatile storage means such as ROM or hard disks andexecute processing according to the program codes read.

In step S1301, information that is sent from the user's equipment (animage forming apparatus or an information processing apparatus that theuser uses) is received.

In step S1302, a processing to calculate the average monthly printvolume (PV) based on the information received in step S1301 takes place.As described earlier, the average monthly print volume can be calculatedbased on information in FIG. 6 such as the log recording start date, thelog recording end date and the print volume. Furthermore, by making useof the print volume for each paper size included in the informationreceived in step S1301, information concerning the print volume for eachpaper size can be obtained, so that the present invention can be appliedto a mode that recommends optional paper feed/delivery devices dependingon the paper size.

In step S1303, the image forming apparatus that the user currently usesis specified from the information concerning printer model that isincluded in the information received in step S1301; the standard papercapacity (paper feed cassette information in FIG. 6) is specified forthe image forming apparatus printer model specified; and it isdetermined whether the value of the printer volume divided by the papercapacity exceeds predetermined value (for example, n=4).

Another preferred embodiment of step S1303 involves referring toinformation concerning an optional paper feed cassette in theconfiguration information in FIG. 6, so that a sum of the standard papercapacity (i.e., paper capacity without the optional paper feed cassettemounted) and the paper capacity of the optional paper feed cassette isused as the value of m in step S1303. By doing this, a new optimumproduct that more closely matches the user's current optional equipmentinformation can be searched. If the answer is determined to be Yes instep S1303, the recommended optional paper feed/delivery devices for theimage forming apparatus printer model that the user uses are specifiedin step S1304. To describe the processing that takes place in step S1304in greater detail, optional devices that match the printer model basedon the printer model information included in the information obtained instep S1301 are specified. This specifying processing is realized byusing a search table in which printer models and optional devices arematched as in FIG. 8, which was described as part of the firstembodiment. Naturally, the search table provided by an optional printerand paper feed/delivery device selection section 407 is not limited tothe one shown in FIG. 8, and optional paper feed/delivery devices thatmatch various printer models other than the printer models indicated inFIG. 8 are searchable. Furthermore, search targets for the printermodels are not limited to optional paper feed/delivery devices, andvarious optional devices such as large capacity black ink tanks, forexample, may also be matched. This also applies to the first embodiment.

The average monthly print volume (PV) for the image forming apparatusused by the user is matched with the PV in step S1304, and optionalpaper feed/delivery devices are selected based on their values of n inthe order closest to the predetermined value (for example, n=4). Asdescribed earlier, candidates for optional paper feed devices selectedare specified from the printer model names based on the search tablesuch as shown in FIG. 8 (for example, for printer C in FIG. 8, thecandidates are a 500 page feeder, a 500 feeder×2, a 1,500 page feeder, a500 page delivery stacker, a 500 page delivery stacker×2, and a 5-binmailbox).

In step S1305, a specification table/quotation is prepared to be sent tothe user as information concerning recommended optional productsspecified in step S1304.

In step S1306, in addition to selecting the optimum optional paperfeed/delivery devices based on the operational history of the imageforming apparatus used by the user, a new image forming apparatus basedon the average monthly print volume of the image forming apparatus thatthe user currently uses and optional paper feed/delivery devices for thenew image forming apparatus are selected.

In step S1307 to S1311, the optimum printer (i.e., a printer withoptimum print speed) for the average monthly print volume of the imageforming apparatus that the user currently uses and optional paperfeed/delivery devices are searched and extracted, and specificationtable/quotation information to be sent to the user's device is created.The details of the processing that takes place in steps S1307 to S1311are similar to those of the processing that takes place in steps S505 toS509 in FIG. 5 of the first embodiment and their description istherefore omitted.

As described above, in addition to what the first embodiment provides,the user himself or herself can send management information to theserver when he or she likes, so that the optimum image forming apparatusand/or various optional devices for the image forming apparatus can berecommended based on the way (for example, PV) the user uses his or herimage forming apparatus, according to the second embodiment.

Other Embodiments

The present invention may be applied to a system comprising a pluralityof equipment (for example, a host computer, an interface equipment, areader, and a printer) or to an apparatus comprising one equipment (acopier, a printer, or a facsimile machine).

The purpose of the present invention can be achieved by having a storagemedium store program codes of software that realize the functions of theembodiments described above, and by having a computer (or a CPU or anMPU) of a system or a device read and execute the program codes storedin the storage medium.

In this case, the program codes themselves that are read from thestorage medium realize the functions of the embodiments described above,and the storage medium that stores the program codes or the programcodes themselves constitute the present invention.

The storage medium on which to supply the program codes may be a floppydisk, a hard disk, an optical disk, an optical magnetic disk, an MO, aCD-ROM, a CD-R, a DVD, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card or aROM.

Furthermore, the present invention is applicable not only when theprogram codes read by a computer are executed to realize the functionsof the embodiments, but also when an operating system that operates onthe computer performs a part or all of the actual processing based onthe instructions contained in the program codes and thereby realize thefunctions of the embodiments.

Moreover, the present invention is also applicable when the programcodes that are read from the storage medium are written onto anexpansion board inserted into a computer or on a memory of an expansionunit connected to a computer, and a CPU provided on the expansion boardor the expansion unit performs a part or all of the actual processingbased on the instructions contained in the program codes and therebyrealize the functions of the embodiments.

As described above, according to the present invention, the optimumimage forming apparatus and/or optional devices can be determined basedon the usage of the user's image forming apparatus, which allows theuser to obtain information concerning the optimum image formingapparatus and/or optional products without having to do any onerousresearch.

While the description above refers to particular embodiments of thepresent invention, it will be understood that many modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanying claimsare intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the truescope and spirit of the present invention.

The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered inall respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of theinvention being indicated by the appended claims, rather than theforegoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning andrange of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embracedtherein.

1.-44. (canceled)
 45. A diagnostic method carried out in a diagnosticsystem capable of communicating with an information processingapparatus, said method comprising: an obtaining step of obtaininginformation of print volume of an image forming apparatus for a certainperiod; a determination step of determining a type of a recommendableimage forming apparatus based on the information obtained in saidobtaining step; and a notification step of notifying the informationprocessing apparatus of information indicative of the type of therecommendable image forming apparatus determined in said determinationstep via a communication device.
 46. A diagnostic method carried out ina diagnostic system capable of communicating with an informationprocessing apparatus, said method comprising: an obtaining step ofobtaining information of print volume for a certain period via acommunication line, the information being entered in the informationprocessing apparatus by a user; a determination step of determining atype of a recommendable image forming apparatus based on the informationobtained in said obtaining step; and a notification step of notifyingthe information processing apparatus of information indicative of thetype of the recommendable image forming apparatus determined in saiddetermination step.
 47. A method according to claim 46, wherein saidnotification step includes notifying the information processingapparatus of information on an option to the recommendable image formingapparatus whose type is determined in said determination step.
 48. Amethod according to claim 47, wherein the information on the option isprovided based on the information of print volume obtained in saidobtaining step.
 49. A diagnostic system capable of communicating with aninformation processing apparatus, said system comprising: an obtainingunit adapted to obtain information of print volume of an image formingapparatus for a certain period; a determination unit adapted todetermine a type of a recommendable image forming apparatus based on theinformation obtained by said obtaining unit; and a notification unitadapted to notify the information processing apparatus of informationindicative of the type of the recommendable image forming apparatusdetermined by said determination unit via a communication device.
 50. Adiagnostic system capable of communicating with an informationprocessing apparatus, said system comprising: an obtaining unit adaptedto obtain information of print volume for a certain period via acommunication line, the information being entered in the informationprocessing apparatus by a user; a determination unit adapted todetermine a type of a recommendable image forming apparatus based on theinformation obtained by said obtaining unit; and a notification unitadapted to notify the information processing apparatus of informationindicative of the type of the recommendable image forming apparatusdetermined by said determination unit.
 51. A system according to claim50, wherein said notification unit notifies the information processingapparatus of information on an option to the recommendable image formingapparatus whose type is determined by said determination unit.
 52. Asystem according to claim 51, wherein the information on the option isprovided based on the information of print volume obtained by saidobtaining unit.
 53. A program stored in a computer-readable storagemedium such that, when executed by a computer, the program causes thecomputer to execute a diagnostic method carried out in a diagnosticsystem capable of communicating with an information processingapparatus, the method comprising: an obtaining step of obtaininginformation of print volume of an image forming apparatus for a certainperiod; a determination step of determining a type of a recommendableimage forming apparatus based on the information obtained in saidobtaining step; and a notification step of notifying the informationprocessing apparatus of information indicative of the type of therecommendable image forming apparatus determined in said determinationstep via a communication device.
 54. A program stored in acomputer-readable storage medium such that, when executed by a computer,the program causes the computer to execute a diagnostic method carriedout in a diagnostic system capable of communicating with an informationprocessing apparatus, the method comprising: an obtaining step ofobtaining information of print volume for a certain period via acommunication line, the information being entered in the informationprocessing apparatus by a user; a determination step of determining atype of a recommendable image forming apparatus based on the informationobtained in said obtaining step; and a notification step of notifyingthe information processing apparatus of information indicative of thetype of the recommendable image forming apparatus determined in saiddetermination step.
 55. A program according to claim 54, wherein saidnotification step includes notifying the information processingapparatus of information on an option to the recommendable image formingapparatus whose type is determined in said determination step.
 56. Aprogram according to claim 55, wherein the information on the option isprovided based on the information of print volume obtained in saidobtaining step.